Feature: Understanding emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence, the ability to identify and manage emotions in yourself and others, is increasingly recognized as critical for effective leadership. Unlike IQ, emotional intelligence can be learned and developed, making it a key focus for leadership development in modern organizations.
BA Chief makes sacking u-turn
BA Chief Executive Rod Eddington has reversed his initial stance and decided against sacking senior executives over August’s flight cancellation chaos, which disrupted 10,000 passengers. The airline attributes the disruption to staff shortages rather than individual failings and plans to cut 966 flights over three months instead.
New minimum disciplinary and grievance procedures
New minimum disciplinary and grievance procedures take effect October 1, 2004, requiring employers to follow a three-step process: put it in writing, meet and discuss, and allow appeal. Employers must inform staff of the new requirements and ensure existing procedures comply to avoid automatic unfair dismissal findings and financial penalties.
Launch of £10m Training Fund
A new £10m training fund launched by London’s Mayor and the European Social Fund offers skills development to disadvantaged groups including minorities, people with disabilities, and refugees. Training covers basic skills, STEM, construction, tourism, and other sectors.
The Way I See It… Train to Retain
Companies face a growing skills shortage in sales recruitment, making it essential for businesses to invest in training and developing their own salespeople. By identifying candidates with strong potential and committing to comprehensive training programs, companies can build effective teams while improving employee retention.
HR Tip: Revealing employee information
Employers cannot share employee whereabouts with debt collectors without written permission or legal authority. Only statutory agencies like court bailiffs have the power to demand such information, while debt collection agencies do not.
Feature: The unwritten rules of business extravagance
Courts generally accept corporate extravagance when tied to legitimate business objectives, like winning major deals or demonstrating company success. However, personal expenses—such as lavish birthday parties or residential properties with no clear business purpose—are unlikely to pass scrutiny for legitimacy.
HR Zone Briefing #206 – Softworld HR & Payroll 2004
HR Zone’s Issue 206 covers the upcoming Softworld HR & Payroll 2004 event at Birmingham’s NEC (October 20-21), featuring product showcases from Intellect and Topaz, confirmed speakers, and practical HR guidance on employee information policies.
Feature: RNID guidelines for DDA compliance
RNID provides practical guidelines to help UK businesses comply with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) regulations and serve deaf and hard of hearing customers. Recommendations include staff training, deaf-aware policies, accessible information, assistive equipment, and improved listening environments.
New President for Management Institute
Sir Paul Judge, who led the Premier Brands buyout, is the new president of the Chartered Management Institute, succeeding Gordon Page as the organisation’s 29th president since 1947.
Unemployment at 20 Year Low
Unemployment fell to its lowest level in 20 years, dropping to 1.41 million between May and July, while jobless benefit claims hit a 30-year low. However, wage growth slowed despite improved employment figures.
Women HR Managers Slip Down Earnings Table
Female HR managers’ average salary of £41,045 represents a significant earnings decline, dropping from second to sixth place in the female managers’ pay rankings. Despite women managers overall earning 5% pay rises compared to 4.7% for men, those in HR roles received less than 1% increases, highlighting sector-specific wage stagnation.
Case Study: Developing Facilitative Leaders
Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association trained 56 managers in facilitative leadership, moving beyond command-and-control management to emphasize coaching and team development. A staff survey showed the initiative significantly improved employee engagement, with results exceeding housing sector benchmarks across satisfaction, management quality, and understanding of organizational goals.
The New HR Charter: Part 9 – Unions have no part to play
The author argues that unions have no place in organizations seeking to maximize value through effective workforce management. Union presence signals a lack of trust between management and employees, which undermines the engaged, motivated workplace necessary for organizational success.
Intellect to showcase products at Softworld
Intellect will showcase its complete HR and payroll product portfolio at Softworld on 20-21 October at the NEC Birmingham. The company offers three solution options including modular Workforce modules, the Indiga solution for larger organisations, and standalone Ochre Payroll, all featuring customisable softscreens for non-technical users.
Training Investment Rises by 50%
Business investment in employee training has risen sharply, with 51% of UK employers increasing spending according to the CBI’s Employment Trends 2004 survey. Most employers focus on job-specific training to ensure workforce competency, though over half have also expanded generic skills development. Despite high satisfaction with training providers, nearly a quarter of businesses report being seriously affected by skill shortages.
Employment law quiz
Test your knowledge of UK employment law with this expert-led quiz covering unfair dismissal compensation, discrimination, grievances, flexible working, and maternity rights. Employers and employees can assess their understanding of key workplace regulations and legal obligations.
Evaluation – Any Time, Any Place, Any Where
Online assessments help organizations measure training effectiveness and employee knowledge retention, enabling companies to prove the value of learning programs and secure continued funding for development initiatives.
Feature: Implementing an email policy
HR departments must balance employee monitoring with legal compliance when implementing email policies. Monitoring is governed by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, Data Protection Act, and Human Rights Act, requiring clear policies that define acceptable use while protecting privacy rights and business interests.
Management Training to Drive Improvement
Motor dealers are testing a new Certificate and Diploma in Automotive Retail Management, launched by Automotive Skills to improve standards and develop excellence in management and leadership across the automotive industry. The qualification, awarded jointly by the Chartered Management Institute and Institute of the Motor Industry, combines online assessments with workplace assignments and includes peer reviews.
